The government has so far allocated £50m in aid to the affected countries, but has promised to match the amount raised by the public.

It also announced it has offered to send 120 Gurkha troops to Indonesia to help in the relief effort, although this offer was later politely refused.

Discussions have begun with Indonesia on the exact timing and location of the deployment.

However International Development Minister Gareth Thomas said the offer was aimed primarily at Aceh province, the area closest to the epicentre of the earthquake that triggered the devastating tsunami.

Mourners in Paris respected the three-minute silence at 1100 GMT

The three-minute silence was suggested by the Luxembourg EU presidency last week.

UK Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: "This is to commemorate the victims of the catastrophe in south east Asia and is in solidarity with the people of the affected countries.

"The government hopes employers will do all they can to ensure employees are able to observe the silence and pay their respects at that time."

Television services on BBC One, Two and News 24 observed the silence together with the corporation's main national radio stations.